I was sitting in a restaurant yesterday, watching my stomach billow out over my belt.  I didn’t like it.  Even though I make jokes about having the perfect U-shaped body, my ego still compares mine to younger, slimmer bodies.

For years three pairs of jeans hung in my closet in Canada.  They didn’t make it to my legs because they were for a 32-inch waist, and I had become a 34.  Hope sprang eternal that a rigorous program of fitness and healthy eating would reduce my middle.  Ha!  Never happened.  And I eventually donated the pants to Goodwill.

A few months ago, I read that the composition of the male body changes as we age … more belly fat.  That sort of made me feel better, but not really.

As I pondered my increased roundness yesterday, a number came into my head – 36.  It had been there before, in the spirit of revulsion.  But this time, a mysterious smile came along for the ride. 

If your waist really is 36 now

Why not celebrate it?

And buy new pants

And so I did.  A marvelous sales guy searched high and low for 36 jeans with a 30 length … and now they’re in my closet.  Except the one that now rides on my hips.  Love it!  I’ll call it personal growth … 36 inches as a friend rather than an enemy.

I also bought a longer belt.  So I’m all set for moving and grooving into life’s next adventures.  Comfy in my emerging body.